Raymond Edward Clarke

Raymond E. Clarke, 89, passed away on January 31, 2025, at Heron Point, Chestertown, MD. He was born in Providence, RI to Richardson and Lorena Clarke on December 7, 1935. On his sixth birthday, he went to live with his maternal grandmother, Helen Cruthers, who raised him. While in high school, he was on the wrestling team and earned the rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts. After graduating Hope High School in Providence, he served in the National Guard. He was employed by Brown & Sharp as a machinist apprentice prior to enrolling in Keene (NH) State College. While there, he was a member of the Kappa Delta Phi fraternity and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Education. He continued his education at Northeastern University, earning a Master’s Degree and Johns Hopkins University, ultimately earning his Doctorate in Education from the University of Maryland, College Park. Ray met Pat Burns on a blind date in 1960 and they were married on June 16, 1962. After living and working in several locations in Massachusetts, they moved to Chestertown, MD in August 1968 where he became the first Middle School Supervisor of Instruction for Kent County. He continued to hold several supervisory positions within the Kent County Board of Education until his retirement in 1997. After his official retirement, he returned to do consulting work for the Board of Education as well as filling in as a temporary principal at Millington Elementary and Worton Elementary schools. He is a past President of the Maryland Middle School Association and the Maryland Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. He was a member of the Board of Directors of the Maryland Association of Secondary School Principals. In 2011, Ray was awarded the Maryland Retired School Personnel Association Community Service Award for his volunteer activities with the United Way, the Sacred Heart Church Parish Council, the League of Women Voters, Chester River Yacht and Country Club, the Kent County Food Pantry, Home Ports, and the Chestertown Elks Lodge 2474, where he served as Exalted Ruler. He also served as President of the Kent County Retired School Personnel Association. Ray and Pat enjoyed traveling to all 48 contiguous states as well as several European countries. His hobbies included gardening, bridge, reading, and exercising with his friends at the Kent Athletic Center and Heron Point. He was predeceased by his parents, his grandparents, and his brother, Joseph Ellershaw (Betty). In addition to his wife of 62 years, he is survived by his son Michael and his wife, Anna Schmidt of Wilmington, DE as well as his grandchildren: Aubrey, Laurel, Reid, and Will. He is also survived by his nephews Eric Griggs (Karla) and Joey Ellershaw. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10AM on Saturday, February 15th at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 508 High St. Chestertown MD. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Keene State College Advancement, 229 Main St., Keene NH 03435. Memo: Class of 1961 Scholarship Fund. Please enclose a note saying that this donation is made in Memory of Raymond Clarke.

Raymond Edward Clarke

December 7, 1935 - January 31, 2025